The Manila Times, media groups sign poll accord
THE Manila Times on Monday joined more than 50 other media groups and the academe in signing a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for "Eleksyon 2025." Times' President and COO Blanca Mercado was one of the signatories during the event held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. Mercado lauded the initiative organized by the GMA network, with which The Manila Times signed a covenant in August against fake news. "This partnership with GMA underscores the role of media towards comprehensive, accurate, timely and responsible news reporting," Mercado said. "It defines our shared commitment to fight misinformation and fake news," she added. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia, who participated in the event, told The Manila Times that the latest partnership the poll body and other concerned sectors forged with the media groups was "very vital." "The Comelec cannot do it alone," Garcia said. "The media groups, the academe and the citizens' arms have important role to help us spread the truth about the elections," the Comelec chief said. "These groups can even criticize in order for us to come up with clean and honest elections. Everyone must have a say, must participate, especially the members of the media aside from giving proper and timely information," he said. GMA Network Inc. President and CEO Gilberto Duavit Jr. said the partnership would ensure the Filipino electorate "comprehensive, timely, and accurate information" for them to make objective and empowered decisions come election day. "Today we officially begin the preparations to cover the forthcoming 2025 Philippine midterm elections. As a coalition of the most trusted organizations in our respective fields, we come together once again to deliver an election coverage that is not only the most comprehensive, but also conforms to the highest standards of honesty and integrity in a manner beyond reproach," Duavit said. "With the upcoming elections, we have time to unite, not divide. May today remind us all to keep fighting the good fight in pursuit of truth," he added. Those who participated in the MoA signing were the Catholic Media Network, Manila Standard, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.Net, Manila Bulletin, Manila Overseas Press Club, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, PEP.ph, YouTube, Philippine Bar Association, Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands, React Philippines, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections, Legal Network for Truthful Elections, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Smart Communications. From the academe in the National Capital Region were the University of the Philippines-Diliman, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of the East, National University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, UP-Los Baños, AMA Education System, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua University, San Sebastián College-Recoletos and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta. Several universities and colleges from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have also signed the agreement online.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE Manila Times on Monday joined more than 50 other media groups and the academe in signing a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for "Eleksyon 2025."
Times' President and COO Blanca Mercado was one of the signatories during the event held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City.
Mercado lauded the initiative organized by the GMA network, with which The Manila Times signed a covenant in August against fake news.
"This partnership with GMA underscores the role of media towards comprehensive, accurate, timely and responsible news reporting," Mercado said.
"It defines our shared commitment to fight misinformation and fake news," she added.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia, who participated in the event, told The Manila Times that the latest partnership the poll body and other concerned sectors forged with the media groups was "very vital."
"The Comelec cannot do it alone," Garcia said.
"The media groups, the academe and the citizens' arms have important role to help us spread the truth about the elections," the Comelec chief said.
"These groups can even criticize in order for us to come up with clean and honest elections. Everyone must have a say, must participate, especially the members of the media aside from giving proper and timely information," he said.
GMA Network Inc. President and CEO Gilberto Duavit Jr. said the partnership would ensure the Filipino electorate "comprehensive, timely, and accurate information" for them to make objective and empowered decisions come election day.
"Today we officially begin the preparations to cover the forthcoming 2025 Philippine midterm elections. As a coalition of the most trusted organizations in our respective fields, we come together once again to deliver an election coverage that is not only the most comprehensive, but also conforms to the highest standards of honesty and integrity in a manner beyond reproach," Duavit said.
"With the upcoming elections, we have time to unite, not divide. May today remind us all to keep fighting the good fight in pursuit of truth," he added.
Those who participated in the MoA signing were the Catholic Media Network, Manila Standard, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.Net, Manila Bulletin, Manila Overseas Press Club, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, PEP.ph, YouTube, Philippine Bar Association, Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands, React Philippines, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections, Legal Network for Truthful Elections, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Smart Communications.
From the academe in the National Capital Region were the University of the Philippines-Diliman, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of the East, National University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, UP-Los Baños, AMA Education System, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua University, San Sebastián College-Recoletos and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
Several universities and colleges from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have also signed the agreement online.
